Please note:
To view the Summer 2026 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2026/summer.html.
Indigenous Language Proficiency
The diploma in Indigenous language proficiency (DINLP) is for students who wish to acquire high intermediate to advanced oral proficiency in a particular Indigenous language, to revitalize their languages in their communities by contributing to restore intergenerational transmission through institutional and family-oriented use of the language, to teach this language in schools or to adult learners, and to develop resources for Indigenous language learners at all levels.
This program is offered in-community only, requiring prior agreement with INLP.
The diploma can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
The prerequisite for this diploma is normally prior completion of the 51社区黑料27 units undergraduate certificate in Indigenous language proficiency (CINLP). Students who have completed a certificate equivalent to the 51社区黑料CINLP at other post-secondary institutions, or who undergo a Prior Learning Assessment and demonstrate skills in the language equivalent to at least low intermediate language proficiency, may also be admitted into the DINLP. Advanced placement in the DINLP may be obtained through course challenge provided the applicant undergoes a Language Proficiency Assessment. Subject to a Letter of Permission from SFU, and subject to not having used transfer credit towards a credential at another university, students may apply to use up to nine units of transfer credit from other institutions. Credit may be applied to a specific language and is achieved by examination from an instructor in that language with the approval of the program.
Program Requirements
The DINLP consists of 30 units. At least 15 units must be earned by completing core upper level courses in a particular Indigenous language.
Students complete the following
Students will gain increasing familiarity with, and practical competence in the use of complex and advanced grammatical patterns of an Indigenous language in order to facilitate accurate communication in that language, in both oral and written form. Prerequisite: Completion of certificate in Indigenous language proficiency offered in the same language as INLG (or FNLG) 300, including INLG (or FNLG) 200 or LING 220; or with permission of instructor. Students with credit for FNLG 300 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
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Sessional |
TBD |
Aimed at building conversational and narrative fluency and proficiency in a particular Indigenous language. Taught through a 鈥渟tay in the language鈥� approach through authentic practice of traditional skills and knowledge, as well as everyday communication in both written and oral form. Students may retake this course with focus on a different Indigenous language. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency; or with permission of instructor. Students with credit for FNLG 333 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
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| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD |
Continuation of Indigenous language proficiency intermediate level I builds further conversational and narrative fluency and proficiency in a designated Indigenous language. Taught through a 鈥渟tay in the language鈥� approach involving practice of traditional culture-based and everyday skills in a language. Students may retake this course with focus on a different Indigenous language. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency including INLG (or FNLG) 333 (or as corequisite); or permission of instructor. Students with credit for FNLG 334 may not take this course for further credit for the same designated language.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sessional |
TBD |
Intensive immersion "on the land" or in a classroom setting led by elder or fluent speaker in an Indigenous language at an intermediate level. Exposes learners to a variety of authentic situations where the language is used and spoken in everyday tasks. May be taken again when offered in another Indigenous language set of courses. Prerequisite: Completion of Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency including INLG (or FNLG) 258; or permission of instructor.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jaskwaan Bedard |
TBD | ||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD |
Continuation of intensive immersion "on the land" led by elder or fluent speaker in an Indigenous language at a high intermediate to early advanced level. Exposes learners to a variety of authentic situations where the language is used and spoken in everyday tasks. May be taken again when offered in another Indigenous language. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 358; or permission of instructor.
In addition, students must complete at least 15 units selected from the following courses
Content varies as required by Indigenous language communities or learners. Usually focuses on intermediate to advanced level topics on structural aspects of a particular Indigenous language, emphasizing language learning and teaching. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 130, INLG (or FNLG) 133, INLG (or FNLG) 233 or permission of instructor.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sessional |
TBD | ||
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Sessional |
TBD |
Intended for advanced learners of a particular Indigenous language. Offers advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. Enrollment requires prior approval of the Department of Linguistics and the local Indigenous community. Students will be evaluated on the basis of the individualized goals and objects set at the beginning of the course. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: or Corequisite: INLG 300 or permission of course supervisor. Students who have completed LING 433 (or FNLG 433) for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
Offers additional advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills in the Indigenous language through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 433 or permission of course supervisor. Students who have completed LING 434 (or FNLG 434) for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
Topics focus on legacy stories and other forms of oral literature, music, sacred language, theatre, all taught through the medium of a particular Indigenous language. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: or Corequisite: INLG 300 or permission of instructor. Students who have completed FNLG 435 for a designated topic may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated topic. Breadth-Humanities.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sessional |
TBD |
An independent studies upper division course for students in-depth Indigenous language research. May be repeated once when topic is different. Variable units: 2, 3, 4. Prerequisite: 15 units in INLG and/or LING courses and permission of the instructor or department. Recommended: INLG 130, INLG 200 or LING 220.
Investigation of a selected area of linguistic research. This course may be repeated once for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: Requirements will vary according to the topic offered.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Claudia Wei Wah Wong |
Sep 9 鈥� Dec 6, 2026: Wed, 2:30鈥�5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Investigation of a selected area of linguistic research. This course may be repeated once for credit if the subject is different. Prerequisite: Requirements will vary according to the topic offered.
Theoretical and practical aspects of second language learning. Prerequisite: LING 220.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Suzanne Hilgendorf |
Sep 9 鈥� Dec 6, 2026: Fri, 1:30鈥�2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Detailed examination of the structure of a selected language. Prerequisite: LING 282W.
Detailed examination of the structure of a selected language. Prerequisite: LING 282W.
*When topic is appropriate to Indigenous language research
**If the course is primarily focused on an Indigenous language
Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 calculated on all courses applied to the diploma that are completed at 51社区黑料.
Notes:
- Units applied to this diploma may also be applied to major or minor programs of a bachelor’s degree under the normal regulations governing those programs, but may not be applied to other 51社区黑料 certificates or diplomas.
- Some of the courses have prerequisites not included in the diploma requirements. Students are responsible for satisfying the prerequisites of all courses in their programs. Prerequisite information can be found in the university calendar in the course descriptions section.
- Students intending to pursue this diploma should consult with the program advisor.
- Any student admitted to a diploma program who subsequently transfers to a degree program must complete the university WQB degree requirements.